tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68776441124051738422024-03-05T21:10:34.879-05:00CAASTCAAST stands for: Citizens Against Antiquated, Stupid Thinking. We're tired of keeping Cincinnati in the past, stuck in the dark. The old ways are not working, it's time for the citizens of this great city to stand up for what they believe!CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-67878484075236316532010-05-12T04:25:00.004-04:002010-05-12T04:35:42.536-04:00Chris Smitherman's Plan to Bankrupt the City<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79GknjLo-ML6TZeMMOPJrcycGUFmIg1a1-hFeZW1lIRa2ZjcOzcR0BbIJf-Dy4_raJeYUcukwHXrvnVWwwgIwb_jOCtw4DATOJGkgOb46jm1LXMz_YYmgI8TR_LVkXWT2ojFTQuereKE/s1600/smithermancansuckmydick.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79GknjLo-ML6TZeMMOPJrcycGUFmIg1a1-hFeZW1lIRa2ZjcOzcR0BbIJf-Dy4_raJeYUcukwHXrvnVWwwgIwb_jOCtw4DATOJGkgOb46jm1LXMz_YYmgI8TR_LVkXWT2ojFTQuereKE/s400/smithermancansuckmydick.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470297058666271794" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Chris Smitherman, laughable idiot and president of the local NAACP chapter as well as a former city councilman who wasn't re-elected, is known for his goofy press releases. You know, the ones that he writes himself and then quotes himself, but phrases it as if he's a reporter interviewing himself. Sounds to me like he's just talking to himself, which is probably true since I don't think anyone really takes this guy seriously. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In his </span></span><a href="http://naacpcincinnati.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=440&Itemid=1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">latest press release</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, Smitherman calls for a bailout of Cincinnati and likens the budget situation at city hall to that of the recent economic crisis in Greece. Kind of ironic that a local COAST supporter is calling for a "bailout." Then again this is the guy that Mark Miller of COAST called a "Great American," to which 700 WLW radio host Bill Cunningham simply replied by laughing at Miller.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In case you forgot, this is the same guy that called Issue 9 "deceiving," even though he's the guy who wrote it. Read about that </span></span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/smitherman-says-own-amendment-deceiving.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-61483526550571796552010-03-10T12:01:00.007-05:002010-03-10T13:32:44.965-05:00The Brent Spence Bridgedoggle<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>New Bridge to cost nearly $3 Billion! We could've avoided this...</b></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In 2007, the </span></span></span><a href="http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/brentspence.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Brent Spence Bridge</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, a bridge designed to carry 85,000 motor vehicles daily, was carrying 155,000 vehicles on a daily basis. A replace</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ment or alternative for the Brent Spence has been long over due. Progressive ideas such as light and commuter rail have been consistently been talked down by groups like </span></span></span><a href="http://www.coast-usa.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">COAST</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. The taxpayers, whom COAST claims to defend, are about to be stuck with a $2.6 Billion bill for the construction of a new Brent Spence Bridge. Meanwhile, had </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">we invested in </span></span></span><a href="http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/subway-section6.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Metro Moves</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> back in 2002, we could've been working to reduce highway congestion for the tri-state's commuters and maybe we wouldn't be replacing the aging bridge so quickly.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPT7WN3EP09q5YBp9t2mYyJ7dRFbD13pn09bxvsejaStDF4IcRiqnR3_W8TsFhe3B8PBv958J_i30pnOhCQyBTuq2Bv_OKuLF8KYO51B5O3RqLGboisuR1FlhGn5DOO0rwEH2pRUo6lSk/s400/brentspence.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447057098147071810" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Brent Spence stands upon the recently completed bridge named after him upon its completion in 1963. Image credit: </span></span><a href="http://thephonyconey.blogspot.com/2009/09/brent-spence-boondoggle-we-demand-vote.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">The Phony Coney</span></span></a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">As if $2.6 Billion didn't sound bad enough, consider that construction isn't slated to start until 2015, assuming there are no more delays in planning and design. By then, construction costs will have risen even higher and the current aged bridge will be carrying more traffic than ever before. By 2013, two years before construction is supposed to start, the Brent Spence Bridge is estimated to be carrying 200,000 vehicles daily, 115,000 more vehicles than it was originally designed for.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlvfOnqO3SDO-um4bfLW6tYPyXxa1Bx75tc_rcQOoCPJNBefogLHRZp8MDFnU-9m0hy4Ll5qlPVm6neyStE8WpwSlFFj8Fv-Y8F4Mcr6A1Lz6z90AmxQ5w1T2zNEwWs_XyBZoHVEukkw/s400/Brent+Spence+Bridge+Redesign_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447059592745053026" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">My personal favorite of the </span></span><a href="http://www.urbancincy.com/2010/02/brent-spence-bridge-replacement-designs.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">new bridge designs</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">. The new bridge will surely look nice, but boy will it cost us!</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">As the cost continues to pile up for a bridge replacement, other cities and states are investing in rail projects. Not only does rail reduce highway congestion, reduce pollution, have a higher capacity for transporti<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">ng people and goods all while making better use of land and space, but </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">it costs less!</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>"What? No, Tairy! That can't be</i><i>!"</i> -- It's true! </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">A single bridge will cost more than the ten most expensive rail transit projects we've seen across the world in this past decade!</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGcYX6RdIAVVW8CwIhtqgFkmdaxgj5b2L-eDnpxsBC0trI_3nJWnNw5pR1wC1V8gNoYA84nowhdcBqabREtkNh4skP5SuSnDpAN7sm10G0d4IRr3e3B9UAJpQiWfAJrlYA-No0cCjneA/s400/lightraileastwood02.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447067382878962210" /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- It cost $1.4 Billion to build a 20 mile commuter light rail line in Phoenix that links multiple destinations and carries over 30,000 people per day (far exceeding initial expectations). Meanwhile, here in the Tri-State it will cost us $2.6 Billion to replace just one bridge.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">____________________</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">San Juan Tren Urbano</span></b> - This urban rail line in San Juan, Puerto Rico, completed in 2004, cost an estimated<b> $2.6 Billion in 2009 dollars</b>, roughly the same cost as the Brent Spence Bridge replacement (whose costs might rise by 2015). The difference: this rail line connects thousands and provides transportation across the city while our new bridge is just that...a new bridge.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Seattle Central Link</span></b>- Recently completed, this light rail commuter system connects thousands from the suburbs all the way to downtown Seattle. Initial ridership is already above expectations. Cost: <b>$2.4 Billion</b>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>New Jersey Hudson - Bergen Light Rail</b></span> - Connecting thousands between New Jersey and Manhattan. Cost: <b>$2 Billion.</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>Vancouver Canada Line</b></span> - <b>Carry's over 100,000 people daily</b> between the city's airport and downtown (sounds like a familiar idea Cincinnati once had).<b> Cost: $2 Billion</b>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>Phase 3 of the LA Red Line</b></span> - Completed six months ahead of schedule and under budget, this commuter rail line saved LA from having to spend billions to create highways through and around the Santa Monica Mountains. Cost: <b>$1.3 Billion</b>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">San Francisco BART Airport extension</span></b> - 8.7 mile line connects airport to downtown and surrounding suburbs. Reduces commuter congestion (again an idea we had in Cincinnati that the naysayers shot down). Cost: <b>$1.73 Billion</b>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>Phoenix Metro Rail</b></span> - <b>20 miles of light rail line for $1.4 Billion</b> with ridership estimates far exceeding expectations. Meanwhile, we're spending $2.6 Billion to replace a bridge strictly for automobiles.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Philadelphia Market-Frankford Reconstruction</span></b> - The complete replacement of this rapid transit line now allows SEPTA to carry <b>180,000 users daily</b> and thats just one line. Imagine how much that reduces highway congestion. Cost: <b>$1.3 Billion</b>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">9. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">New Jersey River Line</span></b> - For the cost of <b>$1.26 Billion</b>, Light Rail diesel vehicles carry roughly <b>7300 commuters every day across 34 miles</b>. Cincinnati could've had a similar plan to this with Metro Moves, linking the East Side and eliminating a need to expand and rebuild OH-32. Instead, we'll be expanding that highway too and tearing down even more homes and businesses.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">10. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Washington Branch Ave. Metrorail Extension</span></b> - The completion of five new stations on this line has lead to economic development and put the Washington Metro at 103 miles of total service. Cost: <b>$1.10 Billion</b>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">___________________________</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One bridge will cost us $2.6 Billion dollars alone!</span></b></span></i> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That's assuming construction is underway by 2015, costs haven't risen, or the project doesn't run over budget. That also<b> doesn't account for the billions taxpayers will spend widening and re-doing I-75 from downtown all the way to I-275!</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Why not invest in light rail transit and reduce the congestion and stress put on our highways? Why are we going to spend billions when we could spend far less to make a better investment in our future? More importantly, why is a group who claims to watch out for "additional spending" remaining so quiet on this issue? COAST has no problem trying to stop the City of Cincinnati (a city in which the majority of their members DO NOT live in) from building a $128 Million streetcar line, but remains eerily silent as the state prepares to waste billions upon billions on highway infrastructure?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8u8dA6ULZ2xXVUgWKaHW8z-Hb79CQyaj2F_ZhqR21UlvXC4YaasNYrm6E5erhDAwpBzNg5bGjqseCTnBdA62E-5IfnJ71OEbiJTcdAzJyjg_yqbN0_UuP_slzHr3Q2h0cITuuj84ulxg/s400/streetcargabp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447070716479120050" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">COAST failed to derail the $128 Million streetcar project, but has done nothing to try and stop or suggest cost saving alternatives for the $2.6 Billion Brent Spence Bridge Replacement.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My father and grandfather taught me that a true conservative realizes a good investment and works against wasteful spending. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">The folks at COAST are not conservatives</span></b>, they are merely special interest pawns who do not have the taxpayers best interest at heart.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So while COAST likes to label every project they're against as a "boondoggle." We'll call this Brent Spence replacement plan...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">"THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGEDOGGLE!"</span></span></b></i></span></div></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-72682743687394366852010-02-17T16:40:00.009-05:002010-02-17T17:29:01.637-05:00COAST Declares Premature Victory While Leader Faces Foreclosure. The Streetcar Battle is Far From Over.<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Today it was announced that the city of Cincinnati would not be receiving any federal TIGER stimulus funds for its proposed Modern Streetcar project. Meanwhile, the cities of Tuscon, Arizona and Dallas, Texas received federal stimulus dollars for their projects. Out of 1457 projects that applied for funding, only 51 had their requests met in some fashion. Does this mean the death of the proposed Cincinnati Streetcar? Not by a long shot. The project has applied for other grants and the word will be out on those in the future. Is this a setback? Yes. However, unlike </span></span><a href="http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2010/02/cincinnati-streetcar-jilted-by-tiger.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">COAST would like to believe</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, this not the death of the project and this is certainly not a victory for the Anderson Township based fringe group.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Check out this tweet where COASTer Mark Miller (yeah, </span></span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2010/02/callousness-of-coast.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">that guy who made fun of a dead American combat veteran</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">) declares victory:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KbfKnPguy0_YcTfgh0dATHH0SjWUdXKpTChmRXEBpgwpbkXJ2cwWyoFJ_i2Z4lp3pLQ0hgUJpm8F_Q3cKc4MAC0HNmgiVa7Kr0hFWtEWOvcxeRlG0uC7MSrZbwvLUK7Bd2rKymD8qCE/s400/TIGERtweet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439339119541761650" /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I don't think the brilliant minds at COAST are aware that this was not the only funding grant the streetcar project had applied for, nor is this set back an imminent threat to the project as shown </span><a href="http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/cincinnati-streetcar-remains-eligible-for-state-and-federal-funding/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. Maybe the boys at COAST should brush up on a little bit of their history of assumed premature victories:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://symonsez.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/dewey_defeats_truman.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Meanwhile, in other COAST news: While COAST chairman Jason Gloyd was busy </span><a href="http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2010/02/coast-takes-red-light-camera-campaign.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">fighting red light cameras in Cleveland</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and </span><a href="http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2010/02/15/daily29.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">declaring premature victory in the </span></a><i><a href="http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2010/02/15/daily29.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cincinnati Business Courier</span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, he wasn't busy paying his mortgage. As </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">City Bea</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">t has reported: </span><a href="http://citybeat.com/cincinnati/blog-1183-coast-chairman-faces-foreclosure.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">the COAST leader faces a foreclosure on his home</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGopB23gQOXs-_Z_ivyiBnOKZ1rVQv9WIh1YtbFAF_DPCCHmqxplwXsOSPe3JdbqdwJk2vKz9vgAAALu8JL9zepBQzKDoTUPiNJPSkOcgvZC5zI60R_RDGW4QIaq6Crl-DPHYRcqHUEM/s400/uhohjason.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439341367371472594" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Image provided by the boys at COAST.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One has to wonder why a man who can't take care of his own finances feels so inclined to lecture others on how to properly spend their money. Maybe Jason should get the court case set against him by Hamilton County in order first before he declares victory for COAST. We wish the best for Jason and his family through this tough time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">Just as there are no TIGER funds for streetcar, there will be no TIGER funds for Gloyd's mortgage.</span></div></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-3471239943431962732010-02-15T14:44:00.007-05:002010-02-15T15:33:41.035-05:0010 Years of COAST. What do They Have to Show for it?<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In case you haven't heard, our good friends at the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST) recently celebrated their tenth anniversary. A happy new year/anniversary post on </span></span><a href="http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-new-year-from-coast.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">their blog</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> encouraged their readers to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Leave your many fond recollections of COAST in the comments." </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The only person who commented was me, who reminded them of the fond memories I have when we defeated their Issue 9. So in honor of COAST's 10th Anniversary let's take a look back at what they have to show for the past decade...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVpUqQ8oBzRgBcI14XubNpAOTigCATvzDSdqgwMbSKLB2r6mPDC5M_bgc4EwhtNSg_BA4W0EWZlRNfwS3GthOQdvlRlcnWh_x41Mha8IC6z6dDknX5hPcgFoiWq1vhgOOMNywkSlBPu0/s400/10_wasted_years.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438560801821073426" /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- Members of the local fringe group, COAST.</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b>2010</b></span> -- COAST starts the new decade off by <b><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2010/02/callousness-of-coast.html">POKING FUN AT THE DEATH</a> OF VIETNAM COMBAT VETERAN AND AMERICAN POLITICIAN, JOHN MURTHA.</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">2009</span></b> -- COAST's proportional representation campaign fails and out of 17 politicians and issues endorsed in the November election, <b><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2010/01/coasters-celebrate-christmas-season-and.html">ALL FAILED, EXCEPT FIVE</a></b>. Issue 9, a deceptive campaign started by COAST and the NAACP, aimed at stopping the Cincinnati streetcar project , <b>IS</b> <b>DEFEATED BY VOTERS 56% - 44%</b>.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>2008</b></span> -- COAST sues to stop use of City Hall facilities for pro-tax purposes <b>AND THEN THE USES CITY HALL FACILITIES TO ADVOCATE THEIR OWN AGENDA, KINDA HYPOCRITICAL, NO?</b><br /><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">2008</span></b> -- COAST passes a ban in Cincinnati on the use of red light and speeding cameras<b> WORSENING OUR BUDGET AND HURTING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">2007</span></b> -- Commissioners impose 1/2 ¢ sales tax increase without a vote. COAST joined WeDemandAVote.Com Coalition to collect 56,000 signatures and to defeat the hated tax, <b>WORSENING OUR BUDGET AND HURTING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">2007</span></b> -- COAST attempted to sue in order to stop taxpayer funding of Commissioner David Pepper's girlfriend's Greater Cincinnati Film Commission, which works to bring jobs and promote the tri-state area. <b>COAST FAILED. COMMISSION STILL FUNDED BY <a href="http://www.filmcincinnati.com/News_%26_Events/Article/Thank_You_Strickland_for_Production_Incentive">GOVERNOR STRICKLAND'S TAX INCENTIVES</a>. AND WHY DO THEY HATE DAVID PEPPER SO MUCH? <a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/coast-calls-someone-littel-rich-pussy.html">THEY REALLY HATE DAVID PEPPER.</a></b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>2007</b></span> -- COAST launches efforts to stop taxpayer funding of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. <b>FAILURE. CENTER STILL RECEIVES FUNDING.</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">2005</span></b> -- COAST arranged for legal representation for woman in Loveland criminally charged with owing $1.16 in income tax, resulting in a dismissal of the charges.<b> THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO ACTUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE LIST.</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>2004</b></span> -- North COAST formed to aid in the fight against excessive taxes and spending in Butler and Warren Counties. <b>NOT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT, JUST WAIT FOR NORTH CAAST TO FORM AGAINST THEM.</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">2003</span></b> -- passed a Charter Amendment in Cincinnati preventing the use of tax dollars to campaign for tax increases <b>ACTUALLY THIS IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT WAS ALREADY PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW O.R.C. 9.03(C)(1)(E)</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>2003</b></span> -- joined a coalition called ALRT to defeat a 1 ¢ sales tax increase for a light rail transit system (since the defeat of this tax increase, COAST has done NOTHING to step up against tax increases and additional spending on highways and roads). <b>WRONG YEAR AND IF YOUR ONLY ACCOMPLISHMENT IS DESTROYING THE WORK OF OTHERS, I GUESS ARSONISTS ARE PRETTY ACCOMPLISHED TOO.</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">2002</span></b> -- A COAST lawsuit prevents Cincinnati Public Schools from abusing tax dollars to advocate for political causes such as tax increases. <b>SEE ABOVE (THIS WAS ALREADY A LAW).</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>2001</b></span> -- defeated an effort to fund the "Regional Coltural Alliance" with $500,000 in tax dollars. <b>THEY MAY HAVE JUST MADE THIS ONE UP; A SEARCH OF "COLTURAL" IN THE CITY AND COUNTY LEGISLATIVE ARCHIVES PRODUCES NO RESULTS.</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">2001</span></b> -- Brought the property tax rollback to Cincinnati that continues to this day <b>WORSENING OUR BUDGET AND HURTING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>2000</b></span> -- Defeated funding by the City of Cincinnati for an effort to bring the 2012 Summer Olympics to Cincinnati. <b>YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT? THE OLYMPICS BRINGING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO OUR REGION, LIKE IT DID IN <a href="http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/olympiccities/beijing/n214570334.shtml">BEIJING</a>, <a href="http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/aboriginal-participation/economic-development/">VANCOUVER</a>, <a href="http://eprints.otago.ac.nz/687/">SYDNEY</a>, and <a href="http://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/11217/eight-years-since-olympics-salt-lake-park-city-ogden-still-set-standard#">SALT LAKE CITY</a>!</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">1999</span></b> -- defeated the zoo tax levy.<b> WE HAVE ONE OF THE TOP ZOO'S IN THE NATION, LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY.</b><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>1999</b></span> -- defeated the police communications levy <b>HURTING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">---------------------------------------</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">10 years. An entire decade and what does COAST have to show for it? A staunch record of saying "no," huge budget deficits within the city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, and a record of opposing public safety programs. Their only real accomplishments were prohibiting public funds to used to potentially influence elections, however, this was already a state law, and a minor criminal defense matter that could've been handled by any competent lawyer.</span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-49137501643559074472010-02-09T13:48:00.005-05:002010-02-09T14:35:52.241-05:00The Callousness of COAST<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In case you haven't heard, Congressman </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Murtha#Death"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">John Murtha</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> passed away yesterday after complications due to a recent gall bladder surgery he had. While I was certainly not always a fan of Murtha's politics, America has lost not only a statesman respected by both parties, but a combat veteran who proudly served his country in the Vietnam war.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">However, the head honchos at COAST don't see that. We've seen COAST stoop low, but never this low. Check out what COAST treasurer Mark Miller, who authors the COAST Twitter account, had to say about this war veterans death:</span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVjMFX8TxLMLUqhEqkXmEP4-9-dN22k00D8bf9pzYask4AOQB3VcXNRd7WliAa592RTwsibNpb9Qf9cjFqAjwrV2RR6heoYFbce130HVhchi9FCWV-jx36LF1iPxbVy_o11Vj2UJTLW0/s400/murthatweets.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436321186892344386" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Is there any behavior above COAST? We already knew that </span></span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/why-does-coast-lie-about-rail.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">lying</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, c</span></span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/are-members-of-coast-smarter-than-fifth.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">alling people slang words for sexual organs</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span></span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/smitherman-says-own-amendment-deceiving.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">intentionally deceiving voters</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, and </span></span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/jason-gloyd-is-liar-or-idiot-whichever.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">inflating actual numbers</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> were things that the folks had COAST never had no problem doing, but now Mark Miller thinks its appropriate to make fun of dead combat veterans and politicians?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTGWmmFbtKyPhQC_l0rSZx4QmIUbN98OhHYifZbJJLTvrox-XQp_fR3Y5kWoc9mUV12j7v_TH70UFL5O6NDuVtTADvLOCLxjTfuFfgGGTjq1gRQwOZq0AQF5eA3gjzN4_bWqxaiJcBeU/s400/markmillergoodpicture.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436324411292094482" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- The man behind the tweets. COAST treasurer, Mark Miller. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"[John Murtha] Should've died in prison." "Good Riddance bad egg."</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This isn't the first time CAAST has been alerted of Miller's nonsense on Twitter. A few months ago we pointed out how he resorted, on two occasions, to calling his opponents "pussies" in the wake of political defeat. You can read about those incidents </span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/are-members-of-coast-smarter-than-fifth.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and </span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/coast-calls-someone-littel-rich-pussy.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. On top of that, the Cincinnati Blog showed us h<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ow COAST has been editing other peoples tweets to bolster fake support for themselves! Read about that </span><a href="http://cincinnati.blogspot.com/2010/01/coast-caught-lying-again.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Miller and COAST did not stop with the Murtha tweets though. Yep, you guessed it, there's more. Check out this other tweet from </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/gocoast"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">@GOCOAST</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 69px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BZt77jmIPSciSC-ucP5x1cv39A9oxnj4NWeoAkz3HzxA0MCWRaOfZB1E12IRmuvzcR2uEaPip1yKEnm5_Eho4WM7MGGHC1ZmG_LshsA09NixzQYhRDXpP_PcGKuVRaKZnNxKdSc7Ob0/s400/transittweet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436326393096810354" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ironically, in this tweet, we see COAST complaining that the downtown </span><a href="http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/transitcenter.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Riverfront Transit Center</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is "empty." It's ironic because for starters it is not empty. The Center is used multiple times throughout the year to house charter buses for large scale events downtown. System Parking operates it and has a contract with the city, allowing the city to bring in some profit from the event parking. By calling it "empty" COAST is referring to how it has never been used for light rail purposes. Why hasn't it? Because COAST worked to defeat </span><a href="http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/subway-section6.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Metro Moves</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in 2002 which would've put the transit center to good use and made it the center for light rail activity in the heart of downtown. They have no one to blame but themselves for it being "empty."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You may remember recently, I challenged COAST to answer why they continue to <a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/why-does-coast-lie-about-rail.html">intentionally lie about rail transit</a>. My challenge went unanswered, COAST even blocked me from following their Twitter account (guess they can't take criticism backed by factual evidence). As COAST continues to </span><a href="http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2010/02/continuing-contraversy-surrounding.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">complain about the 3C Rail Corridor throughout Ohio</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, they offer no alternative. The group is wiling to turn down $400 Million in federal funding that would provide a new transportation option for Ohio residents and be a step towards high speed rail. That $400 Million would just go to another state, it couldn't be used anywhere else here. So what's the alternative? What is COAST's plan for the future?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's simple, they don't have one. COAST has proven time and time again that immature behavior and name calling is their standard operating procedure. They offer no solutions or alternatives while mocking the dead. Maybe someone should get Mark Miller and his buddies a one way ticket to </span><a href="http://thephonyconey.blogspot.com/2010/02/coast-town-is-ghost-town.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Colorado Springs</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-26828013492730018782010-01-03T22:23:00.006-05:002010-01-03T23:08:19.180-05:00COASTers celebrate the Christmas Season and losing records, both of their organization and the Cleveland Browns.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBv4HLlSTE3i7oj1avOK8f9zKWDNzXNb36k4VguZqldLhAfJFUwwbpjc54vrGSCFk0-W1YB6abOAXjLDY3zfrV61jltgmX1i5EEgHvbFC7JJvO49UTNod73FSkOllLaamwXWa92vB6BKc/s400/COAST+Christmas+Party+2009+023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422721542931496402" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">COASTer Brad Wenstrup (center) poses with other COAST members at COAST's annual Christmas Party held at Slatt's Pub in Blue Ash. Wenstrup was recently defeated in his run for mayor of Cincinnati. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/COASTUSA/COAST2009HolidayParty#5422595808578364978">COAST'</a>.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ah, tiss the holiday season! To all of our loyal readers, fans and haters, the folks here at CAAST would to extend our warmest holiday wishes to you. Thank you for your support and we hope you had a wonderful holiday season. We'd even like to extend a very, yet belated, Merry Christmas to our buddies at COAST. Speaking of which, our friends recently were "<a href="http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2010/01/coasters-celebrate-christmas-season.html">simply having a wonderful Christmas time</a>."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Not surprisingly, COAST held their annual holiday party at a suburban bar outside of the city limits of Cincinnati, a city whose politics they love to interfere with yet very few of their members actually live in. Anderson Township COAST leaders Chris Finney and Jason Gloyd were seen rubbing elbows with their failed mayoral candidate, Brad Wenstrup, at Slatt's Pub in Blue Ash, Ohio.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Slatt's Pub was a good choice for COAST to hold their holiday party. According to Slatt's website, their establishment is the official "<b>Brown Backers bar of Greater Cincinnati.</b>" Slatt's shows all Cleveland Browns games and offers discounts to registered fans of the Cleveland Browns football team, arch-rivals of our own Cincinnati Bengals. So why is this perfect for COAST? Well, it works out great:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><i>Slatt's doesn't support the hometown team, rather their rivals.</i></b> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- COAST doesn't support Cincinnati, rather tries to interfere in it's politics despite the fact the majority of their group is located in the suburbs. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><i>The Cleveland Browns have a losing record. </i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- COAST has a l<a href="http://www.slattspub.com/">osing record</a>!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Cleveland Browns lost 11 games this season, winning only five. Coincidentally COAST only had five victories as well. Out of 17 COAST endorsed candidates and issues, <a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/are-members-of-coast-smarter-than-fifth.html"><b>all failed</b> except five</a>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So as displaced Browns fans from the greater Cincinnati area gathered at Slatt's to mourn the team's abysmal season (Cincinnati defeated Cleveland twice) and losing record, the COASTers gathered to celebrate theirs.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ9ibg8Cw7heIN4D7zLLIFlVz6aL35nV5IjM4T0jgReG9QetHuTq-4tSb0_bKCZFaXl-K3RxO8ii_tTucargIBaaQ4thBfGed88XkN4NtzlMCy7jL7fxOrzNBCu2eV2AE6SK3VUCQK_k/s400/COAST+Christmas+Party+2009+024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422727269646394722" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">- COASTer Brad Wenstrup (left) was defeated in the recent mayoral election by Mayor Mark Mallory %54 - %46. Photo credit: <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/COASTUSA/COAST2009HolidayParty#5422596013348881874">COAST</a></span></i></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-53261907824833143052009-12-28T04:36:00.007-05:002009-12-28T05:13:14.938-05:00Why does COAST lie about Rail Transportation?<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">What really does COAST have against passenger rail transportation? They claim it's often "too damned expensive," yet you never see them opposing other expensive forms of transportation, many of which are often way more expensive than passenger rail transportation. COAST can't even make a good argument for being against passenger rail transportation. This was ever so apparent in the recent election when their passenger rail charter amendment, Issue 9, was defeated by Cincinnati voters %56 - %44.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Recently, COAST blogged about </span></span></span><a href="http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/amtrak-strands-holiday-travelers.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Amtrak rail service in the Northeastern Corridor being delayed due to electrical problems caused by inclement weather</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">. What COAST conveniently failed to mention though, was that AMTRAK service was back up and running after only a</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/amtrak-delays-power-outage-122309"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> three hour delay</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">, while the roads and airports continued to be hampered, delayed and closed due to the snowstorm on the East Coast.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPpEt0Vdl9PSaDeyGfPYeeCg62JMHDlgU4dkW_1qhvqVAQgcmy5lrH0btV95XT-Typn3iGYC-jUZYRKo4MHqaacdx32LE2aGoqltAIqQdfdqwY7UZRk2bu_guivGq8O7sK6yHvlZ_jj0/s400/Amtrak+Delays.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420221355779859730" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">So after only a three hour delay, Amtrak's North Eastern Corridor was back up and running...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkWuE75QdkZIoA23C62NQU6RjZDOtDh50mDdesLuRWbfokZFqqbwWjpRnofu0jwWGvqtncDVbrk6fRNJxQOWSa_DSjTRW34P_h8DP3YR4pQeCdKwWOsfJl2i2W8PIPdlq-uH7TWdwAtc/s400/9854.1070937120.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420222689692279330" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">While the roads and airports were </span></span></span><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126166786780404373.html?mod=rss_Today%27s_Most_Popular"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">still affected by snow</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClpU5mCI1oLHnB3dT6x7k17FCRvIC4_H4nezvToFfFYEeMBPpkIjpJxuDAa8xEw7U_PuhJu0OMv3Zg53gcqcH55rL9kOASomkw-nQImoT9pSEGcDeHDzG7WaD0c3-APb0vGeffUhcjzI/s400/large_airport_snow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420223214705081026" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So COAST, why lie? Why continue to try and mislead about passenger rail transportation and not oppose the massive amounts additional taxes and spending that other transportation projects will require? You've come out in clear opposition to the <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/06/10/3C_RAIL.ART_ART_06-10-09_A1_FOE4PO9.html">Ohio 3C Passenger Rail project</a>, but have remained completely silent on the local issues of the <a href="http://thephonyconey.blogspot.com/2009/09/brent-spence-boondoggle-we-demand-vote.html">BILLION DOLLAR Brent Spence Bridge Replacement</a> and <a href="http://thephonyconey.blogspot.com/2009/11/odots-crazy-plan-for-light-rail-to.html">$675 Million I-75 Re-Widening</a>. Why remain silent on these instances of additional spending? Kind of goes against your group's title doesn't it?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Makes you think; who's paying and lobbying them to drum up support against passenger rail transportation and remain silent on other transportation projects that waste millions of dollars more? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To anyone reading this that may be paying/lobbying COAST to do just that: You might want to rethink who you're paying to do your dirty work. As COAST/NAACP/WEDEMANDAVOTE proved in the last election, they're not very good at it. See: <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Cincinnati_Streetcar_Referendum,_Issue_9_(2009)">Issue 9 Election Results</a></span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-11490908195879211632009-12-28T04:23:00.004-05:002009-12-28T04:33:40.598-05:00What does "COAST" really stand for?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">If you look at COAST's blog post <a href="http://www.coast-usa.blogspot.com/">labels</a> they tag their blog posts according to their subject matter. The full list is viewable on their website, the most popular below:<br /><br />Cincinnati (89)<br />Streetcar (65)<br />WeDemandaVote (50)<br />Taxes (50)<br />Spending (48)<br /><br />So what does this tell us about COAST?<br /><br />Well their number one concern is stopping progress in Cincinnati even though the VAST MAJORITY of their members don't live in the City, so maybe they should be called "</span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">C</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">incinnati's </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">O</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">verlords in </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">A</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">nder</span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">S</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">on </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">T</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">ownship"<br /><br />Well they hate streetcars even though they require no additional taxes and involve much much less spending than other transportation projects ($128 million v. $2,600 million for the brent spence bridge) so maybe they should be called the "</span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">C</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">oalition </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">O</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">pposed to </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">A</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">ll </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">S</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">ustainable </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">T</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">ransportation"<br /><br />And number three on the their list (in a tie with taxes) is WeDemandAVote, a group that partnered with NAACP president Chris Smitherman to oppose the streetcar, only to see Issue 9, which they authored, soundly defeated.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br />For a group that allegedgly cares about taxes and spending, they sure don't seem to prioritize it. Maybe it is beacuse this is how they make their decisions:</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1848/flowchart.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 1200px;" src="http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1848/flowchart.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">COAST, please keep your lies confined to Blue ash and anderson township, if you stop trying to hold back Cincinnati, we promise we won't do anything to improve Blue Ash and Anderson Township, sound fair?</span></span></span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-33330876040027868452009-12-28T03:44:00.006-05:002009-12-28T05:20:13.779-05:00Are the members of COAST smarter than a fifth grader?<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">I remember the first time I heard someone get called a "pussy." I was in the fifth grade. Ryan McFarland and James Fallon, two members of my fifth grade class, were squaring off in the middle of our Hamilton, Ohio school parking lot. James was angry that Ryan would not fight him. Upon Ryan's refusal James called him a "pussy." No, he wasn't referring to the common slang for a cat, but using the word as a derogatory reference for a woman's reproductive organ. The word is often used to refer to someone who is "weak" or "scared." You may have heard it before used by members of COAST as we showed you in one of their "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/coast-calls-someone-littel-rich-pussy.html">tweets</a>" a few weeks back.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">You see, calling someone a "pussy" is a common tactic of COAST. Yes, as we've shown you before COAST's leaders are not really above the maturity level of the earlier mentioned fifth graders. Hell, they even did it again recently, referring to our nation's leaders as "lilly-livered pussys."</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 71px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5Ybmtu0ChZTPuVvrwzeTcaiiziBaY5mH39S6mILiXS_aEfV7ZaipHMdl9ZPmi4l1fGILeK9_2rDjTXOggKqGpRzYhWCKN-heMZS5H0XfbzOQuTe09ReV4ErBX7fQPinsbjQW8tt9m_o/s400/Picture+5.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420208425579696642" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So are Mark Miller, Jason Gloyd and Chris Finney, three of COAST's top brass, above the maturity level of a 5th grader? One would think not since they let such language fly on their Twitter and blog website all the time. Maybe if COAST focused on political issues and offered solutions and new ideas instead of calling people "pussy's" they wouldn't find that the majority of the candidates and issues they endorse wouldn't find such failure. Shall we recap this years election results?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>2009 COAST Failures:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Brad Wenstrup - Mayor of Cincinnati - DEFEATED </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Albert F. Peter - Anderson Township Trustee - DEFEATED</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">John Banner - Cincinnati School Board - DEFEATED (finished in 10th out of 12th place, ouch!)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Christopher McDowell - Cincinnati School Board - DEFEATED</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Arnold Engel - Fairfield School Board - DEFEATED</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Victor Rivera - Fairfield School Board - DEFEATED</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tony Steer - Fairfield School Board - DEFEATED</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jennifer Miller - Mason School Board - DEFEATED</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Issue 7 - Library Levy - PASSED - COAST Opposed</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Issue 9 - Passenger Rail Charter Amendment - DEFEATED - COAST Endorsed, planned and executed</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Issue 52 - Cincinnati School Levy - PASSED - COAST Opposed</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Issue 57 - Little Miami Fire & Rescue Levy - PASSED - COAST Opposed</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>2009 COAST Endorsed Victories:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chris Monzel - Cincinnati City Council</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Charlie Winburn - Cincinnati City Council </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Charlie Norman - Cheviot Treasurer</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Peggy Reis - Anderson Twonship Trustee - DEFEATED</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Issue 8 - Passed - COAST endorsed</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For the 17 COAST endorsed issues and candidates, ONLY 5 found victory....5! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;">Source: <a href="http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/11/coast-2009-sample-poll-ballot.html">2009 COAST sample poll ballot</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-40879801077771615492009-12-08T15:18:00.009-05:002009-12-09T02:16:28.362-05:00COAST calls someone a "Littel Rich Pussy" and continues to lie about streetcars.<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Well, it certainly has been awhile since CAAST last mentioned COAST and yep, you guessed it: Despite being soundly defeated in the recent election with Issue 9, COAST continues to deceive and lie about streetcars. In fact, just yesterday they stooped to a new low when they called someone a "Littel Rich Pussy" on Twitter (It appears to be a spelling mistake as I'm assuming they meant "Little"). Then again, what other kind of behavior would you expect from COAST and their Anderson Township followers</span>?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yesterday, Brian Sherman (</span><a href="http://twitter.com/bshermcincy"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">@bshermcincy</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">) who is not a politician, just an ordinary citizen, "re-tweeted" (reposted a message on Twitter to help spread it along) a "tweet" posted by Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper (</span><a href="http://twitter.com/DavidPepper"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">@DavidPepper</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">) which said:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"They (COAST) scare people, then disappear & move on."</span></b></blockquote></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After his re-tweet the classy, mature folks at COAST decided to send a message to Mr. Sherman and call him a "pussy."</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKNpYvK1JID6xhx1MpbSRnMI6FNzx8Yf6kli-RQu8fjMN3Ge5zvpbEFemXMK2oi3dL5VIVu_QE1JrleUY1hTtFvfp59tl7gwdpXaTdCMQxQYjjlnJyLuLR4eVods2cdAS2XBGdjbru5A/s400/coast-tweet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412968117771915378" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For those who aren't sure; "pussy" is often used as a slang term for a woman's vagina. It wasn't enough that COAST has been called out and caught numerous times lying and trying to deceive the voters, now they have to call their opponents "pussies." Is it any wonder why no one listens to these guys?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In other COAST news, there's a rumor going around that former SORTA board member Stephan Louis has started to write anti-streetcar stories for the COAST blog. Don't remember Stephan? He was the guy who in a debate at the University of Cincinnati compared building a streetcar to having an "</span><a href="http://thephonyconey.blogspot.com/2009/10/report-from-10-15-09-richardlewis.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">abortion</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">," then was embarrassed following the debate when he received only one vote of support. Read that story </span><a href="http://thephonyconey.blogspot.com/2009/10/report-from-10-15-09-richardlewis.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It is believed that Stephan wrote the </span><a href="http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/12/trolleys-get-trapped-in-snow-but-buses.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">most recent COAST post</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> which featured this photograph of a streetcar trapped in the snow:</span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UYHuc-sb_hkJ_zNkzyeenMKyVGjSod1g1k1uDtkgP-h8IwjZgA4xBzdbdgGsrpwfYJFjQ4bi9r-R9z0X6qFND2p5zrqktGCww4syKAuihrH_bqTWVZkH3UYBX1OB1m4v0WT60dqtvbk/s400/streetcarinsnow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412970519346086850" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The title of the COAST story was that "Trolley's get trapped in snow, busses roll on." What COAST failed to tell you as they intentionally tried to deceive you was that the website from where they borrowed this image shows A BUS and CARS trapped in the SAME snow storm:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQx71BxEpJ19qs4WO1CTEm3iFz1fCro3C_8Oxi6IOOApdddTBcIWi87jMaGwpuMJHQinCBmJwwpDE3yWVeUadRd682yobdfedPpc-cIllI9vX2G1mEUONJhEMXRuSS98EE45Uk4hYmBg/s1600-h/bustrappedinsnow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQx71BxEpJ19qs4WO1CTEm3iFz1fCro3C_8Oxi6IOOApdddTBcIWi87jMaGwpuMJHQinCBmJwwpDE3yWVeUadRd682yobdfedPpc-cIllI9vX2G1mEUONJhEMXRuSS98EE45Uk4hYmBg/s400/bustrappedinsnow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412971622630398354" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">These images come from: </span><a href="http://www4.uwm.edu/cuts/headlite.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">http://www4.uwm.edu/cuts/headlite.htm</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I thought the buses rolled on, COAST? Guess not.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Folks we've seen it time and time again, the CAAST blog serves as a constant reminder to it; COAST's only tactic is to obstruct and deceive in order to promote their special interest agenda. All you have to is look back through the months of posts here to see how many times COAST has lied. The good news is, no one's buying it. I agree with what commissioner Pepper said: "They scare people, then disappear & move on." That's COAST's strategy. No real solutions and no real answers.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To Smitherman, Louis and COAST I ask you: Do you remember the results of Issue 9 in the November 3rd election? Because I certainly do and as I remember, you lost:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Issue 9:</span></span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">No on 9 - 56% Yes on 9 - 44%</span></span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">You can now follow CAAST on Twitter, check out as at:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><a href="http://twitter.com/gocaast">twitter.com/gocaast</a></span></span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-34464364932406356922009-11-22T02:21:00.005-05:002011-02-22T12:16:54.697-05:00DeletedCAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-62430226546632901442009-11-10T23:34:00.010-05:002009-11-11T00:29:58.307-05:00Is the City of Mason Biting the Hand that Feeds with new Addmission Tax?<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Guest post contributed by Corby Samson, concerned resident of Mason and CAAST reader.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Kings Island has attracted millions upon millions of vis</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">itor</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">s si</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">nc</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">e it's g</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">rand</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> opening in 1972. The Beach Waterpark right across the street </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQt7HUNHbecEF_nhXEGcfezATCX-6Zlh6ywtgNu4vPMWf8Af0UTEyscGThwxPvPraYNDuph0VFUhGtAMiqWF8bihM4eYBLa_LufLRibTIDUsa5s5BZ9pHDZrbAbT4N6gBPUEblrVSpIQ/s1600-h/KingsIsland_0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQt7HUNHbecEF_nhXEGcfezATCX-6Zlh6ywtgNu4vPMWf8Af0UTEyscGThwxPvPraYNDuph0VFUhGtAMiqWF8bihM4eYBLa_LufLRibTIDUsa5s5BZ9pHDZrbAbT4N6gBPUEblrVSpIQ/s320/KingsIsland_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402710105858865954" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">is also a huge draw. These two tourist attractions just 30 miles north of Cincinnati became so popular that they drew in the construction of the Great Wolf Lodge, a massive hotel and indoor waterpark resort which became yet another tourist attraction and successful business in the area. Together, these companies have helped spawn massive amounts of economic development and tax revenue over the years for Deerfield Township. Those benefits were passed on to Mason when the entire Kings Island property and much of the surrounding area was annexed by Mason in 1999.<br /><br />So you have three major tourist attractions in your area, one of which (Kings Island) has basically been the catalyst to your city's rapid growth and success (Kings Island itself was nothing but farm houses before it was constructed) since it's inception in 1972 and you want to tax them even more? That's exactly what the city of Mason wants to do. To be fair they've been discussing it for years, but just recently actually made some progress on it. The only reason they haven't voted on it is because <a href="http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/kings-island-chamber-of-commerce-vow-to-fight-proposed-admissions-tax-394665.html">not all of their council members were present at their most recent meeting.</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Now, Mason wan'ts even more!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Councilman Tony Bradburn tells the Dayton Daily News: </span><blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;">“There are expenses related to that number of people [the visitors to the taxed amusement facilities] and I believe those people should help pay for it, rather than the citizens of Mason subsidizing their operation.”</span></blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"> Bradburn is calling for a 3% tax on admissions and a 5% tax on parking facilities.<br /><br />Now, pardon me, but someone here is getting greedy. These business owners and their amusement properties already pay taxes to Mason and even all of their employees, regardless of where they live, get taxed on their paychecks by the city. Kings Mills Rd., the main thoroughfare in front of Kings Island, the Great Wolf Lodge, The Beach and countless other businesses is currently being repaved and reconstructed by the Ohio Department of Transportation and funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, not the city of Mason. While Mason does provide fire and police services to these facilities, they're already taxing these properties once and every single one of their employees, how much more could they possibly need?<br /><br />This nation is in an economic downturn. Kings Island is the backbone of the Mason economy and places like amusement parks are <a href="http://www.toledofreepress.com/2009/05/23/ohio-amusement-parks-again-open-under-recession/">feeling the downturn too</a>. Now, in spite of this, the city of Mason wants to tax these businesses even more and drive their ticket and parking prices up (both of which mnay readers will agree are already too exorberent for the average family), which could turn off even more visitors who are already being choosy with where they're spending their money in the current recession.<br /><br />Is the Mason City Council really this stupid?</span></span>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-6846916432826809622009-11-04T15:57:00.007-05:002009-11-04T16:51:03.990-05:00Victory over Issue 9. "You Can't Stop Progress!"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/11/victory-proclaimed-in-cincinnati-issue.html"><b>Gordon Bombay over at Queen City Discovery covered the victory party pretty well,</b></a> but where do we go from here? Issue 9 wasn't just defeated, it was soundly and decisively turned down by the voters </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">56</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> to </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">44</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> percent. So to Chris Finney and Chris Smitherman, the two men who tried to derail this city via a deceptive charter amendment, I dedicate this song to you:</span></span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">"You Can't Stop Progress"</span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">by: Clutch</span></span></i></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; visibility:visible; margin-right: auto; width:450px;"> <object width="435" height="270"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"> <param name="flashvars" value="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_black_noautostart.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Floadplaylist.php%3Fplaylist%3D71674937%26t%3D1257368917&wid=os"> <embed style="width:435px; visibility:visible; height:270px;" allowscriptaccess="never" src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf" flashvars="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_black_noautostart.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http://www.indimusic.us/loadplaylist.php?playlist=71674937&t=1257368917&wid=os" width="435" height="270" name="mp3player" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" border="0"></embed> </object> </div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">While Chris Smitherman ignored the voters decision and </span><a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091104/NEWS0108/911040379/Streetcar+clears+hurdle++but+maybe+not+the+last"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">already began pledging another charter amendment for the next year</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, I hope COAST treasurer Mark Miller makes good on his promise to 700 WLW radio host to Bill Cunningham. You know, the one where he said if Issue 9 loses </span><b><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/coast-gets-desperate-bill-cunningham.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"COAST has to shut up and go away."</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Although Chris Smitherman is not a member of COAST, the good folks over at our rival group should remind him that the voters have spoken. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mr. Smitherman, just in case you ever happen to read this, I'd like to remind you: You were voted off of council after one term, the voters flat out and decisively rejected your bogus Issue 9 charter amendment, </span><a href="http://blackcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/07/impeach-christopher-smitherman.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">your fellow NAACP members want you impeached</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and <a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/smitherman-says-own-amendment-deceiving.html">your attempt to confuse voters and then blame it on the opposition</a> backfired and left you looking like an idiot</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. Take a hint, Chris. Cincinnati has placed it's faith in democracy and it's elected officials, not extermist goons such as yourself.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Bill Cunningham said it best: "</span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/smitherman-says-own-amendment-deceiving.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Smitherman's a clown.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">" </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cincinnati, way to stand up against the antiquated, stupid thinking of people like Smitherman and COAST, way to stand up against Issue 9! Let's keep Cincinnati moving forward! </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You can't stop progress! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">We proved Mark Twain wrong for once...</span></span></b><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><b>Let's keep the momentum going: <a href="http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/let%E2%80%99s-make-cincinnati-a-better-place-to-live/">Let's Make Cincinnati A Better Place to Live!</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;">P.S. Thanks to everyone who came by to say hi and wore a CAAST sticker proudly. It was nice to meet so many of you and this has been a great experience defeating Issue 9.</span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAlPzczi0SQG6DWaKQT-sIPJXAuds9oC9jwjw-0NAT1b7dShImPTfYsumyDo7aNO3rxvySPXH-TKl59RVJ2n2V9VtJl3tD5K7ZAI2D-XZVZ2mLBXZgNR8_2KNeII7ID0herg_wCDxKtU/s1600-h/victory_0009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAlPzczi0SQG6DWaKQT-sIPJXAuds9oC9jwjw-0NAT1b7dShImPTfYsumyDo7aNO3rxvySPXH-TKl59RVJ2n2V9VtJl3tD5K7ZAI2D-XZVZ2mLBXZgNR8_2KNeII7ID0herg_wCDxKtU/s400/victory_0009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400369163704158114" /></a>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-56189744344722893962009-11-02T10:18:00.004-05:002009-11-02T10:37:04.046-05:00Issue 9 "Deserves to Fail." Help Defeat This "Poison Pill" Tomorrow!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif; font-size: small; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What's there to say that hasn't been said? Tomorrow is election day and voters all over the nation will be heading to the polls to cast their votes for a wide plethora of candidates and issues. Here in Cincinnati, we will have the opportunity to vote on the incredibly deceptive and poorly written Issue 9. Backed by a special interest group and Chris Smitherman, who even admitted his own charter amendment was "<a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/smitherman-says-own-amendment-deceiving.html">political corruption</a>," Issue 9 seeks to slow down Cincinnati via referendum. This referndum voting process is a political tool commonly used by special interest groups like COAST and completely undermines the foundations of representative democracy, which is exactly why our founding fathers didn't put a direct democracy in place.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Whether you like the streetcar or not, it's very important for the future of this city that Issue 9 fail as it not only affects every passenger rail expenditure, but the poorly written ammendment via it's own wording will affect the righ-of-way's of roads, sidewalks, <a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/poorly-written-issue-9-affects-roads.html">everything</a>! This kind of hastily written, poor referedum will undoubtedly be tied up in litigation for years to come and only serve to slow down the city. The Cincinnati Enquirer has called this ammendment a "<a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/poorly-written-issue-9-affects-roads.html">poison pill</a>" for the city and have declared that Issue 9 "<a href="http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/cincinnati-enquirer-vote-no-on-issue-9-the-poison-pill-amendment-deserves-to-fail/">...desrves to fail!</a>"</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyWEix-yzBkDUXpa-lB9gPJVY92SNuIQTVWACsAUCef-XAn9HGcc_y0N1_ShzZ3GS0X6fxXnPiIhcbteLn2MGKzEiNsaAc8aR9Y3OOG64cDopqgxPXkk24XYraZATchcziF7-d0tOMvE/s400/noon9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399527986311492226" /><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">The quote in the masthead of this blog is often attributed to Mark Twain, but it's not certain exactly who said it. Regardless, it's infamously popular and somewhat true in Cincinnati. </span></span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">"When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it's always twenty years behind the times." </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Antiquated, stupid thinking has kept us "twenty years behind the times" on more than one occasion in the past. Now, today, amongst great progress, special interest groups seek to cripple the city via undemocratic referendums. <b>Tomorrow, we can say no to that! Tomorrow, we can stand up for proper democracy in Cincinnati. Tomorrow, we can keep moving forward!</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">For a complete list of the vast, numerous organizations and people who have come out against Issue 9 and the very few who have come out in support of Issue 9, please visit this <a href="http://www.cincinnatiansforprogress.com/Endorsements/">link</a>. Cincinnatians from all different cultures, backgrounds, political leanings and neighborhoods are coming out against this deceptive and misleading special interest amendment. You can take a stand too!</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Thank you for taking the time to visit and read the CAAST blog these past few months and remember to do you civic duty tomorrow, get out there and vote!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Sincerely,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><i>Tairy Greene</i></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Founder, Citizens Against Antiquated, Stupid Thinking (CAAST)</span></span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-65465565268447338582009-10-30T10:02:00.004-04:002009-10-30T10:24:17.264-04:00Poorly written Issue 9 affects roads, rail, sidewalks...EVERYTHING!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hqApbxzu1qzjanunoySDIn28akfu0VkxYz4oMXlcb6dcgzwzhnrZ57I3wNSaZrayvwDTLSG1RQegCYOxwXd1N98UzBNbfdRJDrS6X8C0XI3Dj4vHBtLmeg9YgjA4P4JmJmsxQ-k2OcI/s1600-h/mark.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hqApbxzu1qzjanunoySDIn28akfu0VkxYz4oMXlcb6dcgzwzhnrZ57I3wNSaZrayvwDTLSG1RQegCYOxwXd1N98UzBNbfdRJDrS6X8C0XI3Dj4vHBtLmeg9YgjA4P4JmJmsxQ-k2OcI/s400/mark.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398398424668165970" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvitica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-weight: bold; "><i>Mark Painter of Clifton Heights-Fairview served as a trial and appellate judge for 27 years.</i></span></div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Just when you thought Issue 9 wasn't as broad reaching or deceptive enough, the <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091030/EDIT02/910300367/1019/EDIT/Issue%209%20could%20cause%20create%20legal%20mess">Cincinnati Enquirer</a> is reporting...</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:arial, helvitica, sans-serif;"><p style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><blockquote><b><i>"A court might determine that the "last antecedent rule" applies to the amendment. If so, every acquisition of land - for widening a street, building a bridge - would be subject to a popular vote! At the very least, there would be expensive and time-consuming lawsuits. Not to mention making us a laughingstock." - <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091030/EDIT02/910300367/1019/EDIT/Issue%209%20could%20cause%20create%20legal%20mess">Cincinnati Enquirer October 30, 2009</a></i></b></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="aa"></span></span><p></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">So now, not only does Issue 9 affect all passenger rail projects no matter what the cost or funding sources, it now affects right-of-way acquisition for everything! Streetcars, sidewalks, roads, etc. Take a look at the Painter article and see for yourself, this Issue would keep Cincinnati in a legal mess for years to come! Whether you support the streetcar or not, this is obviously about much, much more. This amendment is absolutely ridiculous. Click <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091030/EDIT02/910300367/1019/EDIT/Issue%209%20could%20cause%20create%20legal%20mess">here</a> to read the full article.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">VOTE NO ON ISSUE 9</span></b></i></span></span></div></span></span></span></div></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-43597006355645232242009-10-29T15:16:00.004-04:002009-10-29T15:25:55.086-04:00Issue 9 would "Maroon" Cincinnati<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCF64HCJDSrPnIstF-5KrXJCI5NOdue8FpbmLWWD7wUTbV4wq9R6AFBiKo8mVuNbVR-85WJ5giTexk9o9iYz-bZI0mnnkRI_kSmEx4eOg4GakB5uRG6EkSl3S74eAiIvd7RvGoLHFPbk/s1600-h/marooned+in+cincinnati.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCF64HCJDSrPnIstF-5KrXJCI5NOdue8FpbmLWWD7wUTbV4wq9R6AFBiKo8mVuNbVR-85WJ5giTexk9o9iYz-bZI0mnnkRI_kSmEx4eOg4GakB5uRG6EkSl3S74eAiIvd7RvGoLHFPbk/s400/marooned+in+cincinnati.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398104604623438898" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">As the federal government </span></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/17/us/politics/17train.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">continues to further it's plans to develop high speed rail</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> in America, Issue 9 threatens to leave Cincinnati off the map. Are they really going to sit around and wait for us to vote on every little expenditure while the rest of the nation moves forward? Probably not, which is why the "Cincinnati" stop on the line will be in Sharonville, connecting our northern neighbor with Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus and Cleveland, marooning Cincinnati in a sea of slowly worsening highway systems and air port delays.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKuq1A0z9PMM82MM4xx6GlvqzNsAcKw3pjtJLWytUC__nTbGxBT9SwF0vOOsgHYWYX4BOqG23_hKKEvisO_gAJPc3dX01zzhjEQIPzWfx02Lw_RBNIgXamBafE4ZnRnY14Iw2UmN01Uw/s400/Ohio+Hub+w+o+Cincy+text.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398104877514544434" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">CAN WE AFFORD TO BE LEFT OFF THE MAP!?</span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">VOTE NO ON ISSUE 9!</span></span></i></b></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCF64HCJDSrPnIstF-5KrXJCI5NOdue8FpbmLWWD7wUTbV4wq9R6AFBiKo8mVuNbVR-85WJ5giTexk9o9iYz-bZI0mnnkRI_kSmEx4eOg4GakB5uRG6EkSl3S74eAiIvd7RvGoLHFPbk/s1600-h/marooned+in+cincinnati.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><div></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-43902797269764199152009-10-26T18:29:00.012-04:002009-10-27T00:36:30.729-04:00Smitherman Says His Own Amendment Deceiving!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HFdjjrnNyXKpVn1ot7ndrwafO1BBz9Bj8qTaazO1hyL7N5Lp4ckwqcVFeoU_bXJ7TEx1qK0qqiImVuf_Ts5seJubA0CeyucU3tbxluqR0nfPdvZCKfmgE_AfvExf1cOZnuzgbHppGiA/s1600-h/smithermancansuckmydick.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HFdjjrnNyXKpVn1ot7ndrwafO1BBz9Bj8qTaazO1hyL7N5Lp4ckwqcVFeoU_bXJ7TEx1qK0qqiImVuf_Ts5seJubA0CeyucU3tbxluqR0nfPdvZCKfmgE_AfvExf1cOZnuzgbHppGiA/s320/smithermancansuckmydick.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397042339004067218" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Chris Smitherman, Cincinnati NAACP president, and one of the leading members of the "We Demand a Vote" Coalition who worked with Anderson Township lawyer Christopher Finney to author the ballot language of Issue 9 is now calling his own amendment <b>"political corruption."</b></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In a <a href="http://naacpcincinnati.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=323&Itemid=1">press release dated October 26, 2009</a>, the local NAACP president had this to say:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(225, 225, 225); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b><blockquote>"The Cincinnati NAACP remains concerned that a Yes vote on Issues 8 & 9 mean No and a No vote on Issues 8 & 9 means Yes. "This is nothing short of madness and political corruption," Smitherman says."</blockquote></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(225, 225, 225); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">How could it be "corruption," though? Smitherman himself worked with Christopher Finney to author the ballot language. He even told the <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090630/NEWS0106/907010314/Opponents++Streetcar+issue+on+ballot">Cincinnati Enquirer</a> how proud he was of it back in June of this year. Now all of the sudden Smitherman is concerned that the voters will be fooled? Smitherman's press release continues to spiral into his own pool of confusion and self delusion when he says:</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><b><blockquote>"There is no explanation for a Yes meaning No and a No meaning Yes. This is not a tradition but an attempt to trick voters. "</blockquote></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Who is to blame for this "trick," Chris? You helped write the language yourself! Are you being serious? We all know that Chris Smitherman is no stranger to these types of referendums and ballot language. He worked with Finney and Co. on the previous jail tax and red light camera initiatives. Now all of the sudden he's realized that his own ballot language is deceiving? You have got to be kidding me</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:12px;">Smitherman's half truths and exaggerations continue throughout the press release:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></b><blockquote><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"...</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">reject Mayor Mark Mallory's attempt to build a $200 million streetcar while shutting down our bus system, laying off </span></b><span class="yshortcuts"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">bus drivers</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, and raising bus fares on the poor and disabled."</span></b></blockquote></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:small;">Do we have to cover this again? Smitherman has been corrected multiple times that the estimated cost of the streetcar is $128 million, $185 million with the uptown extension, not $200 million. Also, Mayor Mark Mallory is not shutting down the current bus system. Queen City Metro, our bus system operator, has said multiple times that <a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/08/metro-and-streetcar-services-would.html">they support the streetcar plan</a> and have even <a href="http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/sortametro-vote-no-on-issue-9/">endorsed a "no" vote on Issue 9</a>. These kind of lies and shallow attacks are what we have come to expect from Chris Smitherman ever since he was voted off of city council.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">I think Bill Cunningham got it right last week when he said: </span><a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/coast-gets-desperate-bill-cunningham.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">"Smitherman's a clown."</span></a></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Now Smitherman is confused by his own ballot language! Leaders like Chris Smitherman exercise the exact kind of antiquated, stupid thinking that has kept us "20 years behind the times."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">VOTE NO ON ISSUE 9!</span></i></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Image credit: <a href="http://thephonyconey.blogspot.com/2009/05/things-that-make-you-go-hmmmm.html">The Provost of Cincinnati</a></span></span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-43040000272969377692009-10-23T13:00:00.009-04:002009-10-23T15:10:31.355-04:00COAST gets desperate, 700 WLW's Bill Cunningham speaks out against Issue 9<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hiG3FsbPdpDXZFpQNeXBQ30sxtK16cg6v3JDimetZrq_QtXGIeBM772LsnRAXHbzEpQ4XBD4OK9beqJm7BEsKiEjBQWGSvz-McSJH_TP9aNoZBkRavIeczhMI_GpzZDxRtWkttpEjHA/s1600-h/relevance.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hiG3FsbPdpDXZFpQNeXBQ30sxtK16cg6v3JDimetZrq_QtXGIeBM772LsnRAXHbzEpQ4XBD4OK9beqJm7BEsKiEjBQWGSvz-McSJH_TP9aNoZBkRavIeczhMI_GpzZDxRtWkttpEjHA/s400/relevance.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395849279611843538" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">As Boss Finney and his gang at COAST start to lose their relevance with the truth being spread that Issue 9 isn't just about the streetcar, <b>it's about all passenger rail</b>, some big names have come out against the ridiculous charter amendment while Finney and friends get desperate trying to smear the other side.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">On 10/20/2009, COAST treasurer Mark Miller was a guest on Bill Cunningham's 700 WLW show. At around 7 minutes and 30 seconds into the show, they got on the subject of Issue 9. Click <a href="http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/CINCINNATI-OH/WLW-AM/091020_1_willie.mp3?CPROG=PCAST&MARKET=CINCINNATI-OH&NG_FORMAT=newstalk&SITE_ID=1209&STATION_ID=WLW-AM&PCAST_AUTHOR=700WLW&PCAST_CAT=Talk_Radio&PCAST_TITLE=Bill_Cunningham_On_Demand">here</a> to download and listen.<br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFsxv0wOo5I8iuYXTpFQxUN_eUKsLgAOSV6IHHnt9_LbenbaCeJ4ofmqvC_5WGf54f8P5hjXXcmvn9Vv45kYvLAIIxBIAg5mzXeUYQdA_6yjtQjCRacjEzgRP1gb6K3QsZSlccH8Oi9A/s1600-h/willie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFsxv0wOo5I8iuYXTpFQxUN_eUKsLgAOSV6IHHnt9_LbenbaCeJ4ofmqvC_5WGf54f8P5hjXXcmvn9Vv45kYvLAIIxBIAg5mzXeUYQdA_6yjtQjCRacjEzgRP1gb6K3QsZSlccH8Oi9A/s400/willie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395850857129505282" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Mark Miller was caught clearly lying in the interview when he claimed that the train at the Cincinnati Zoo was not "passenger rail transportation." However, as the <a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/09/would-issue-9-affect-childrens-train-at.html">Enquirer has already shown us</a>, it clearly is. Cunningham struck down Miller and the COAST backed charter amendment when he said:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"...it seems to me as of late that referendum and the initiative process is not the way to run a government."</span></blockquote></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Willie goes on to talk about how elected representatives should be the ones investigating proposals and projects before spending money and not special interest groups who "go out and buy the signatures." Mark Miller agrees with Willie after that, but doesn't realize that Cunningham was criticizing the way special interest groups like COAST operate. Miller continues to stumble over his words throughout the interview before Cunningham declares Issue 9 to be a "</span>stupid idea<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">," and calls Chris Smitherman "</span>a clown.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">"</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Meanwhile, other COAST representatives were making up new campaign slogans. Stephan Louis at a debate hosted by the American Association of Architects at the University of Cincinnati <a href="http://thephonyconey.blogspot.com/2009/10/report-from-10-15-09-richardlewis.html">compared the referendum process of issue 9 to the act of an "abortion."</a> In the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=721799301702528076&postID=5908961137658109772">comments section</a> of their blog, COAST supporters have begun adopting this campaign slogan:<br /></span></b></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWq4NuViqETBihyphenhyphenI7f7RCk2bYk-Mk56FLtvn1Kf0O9PhYheGKpfQE-oaybsvAeBwN-FQnBOogNssmFLnUAuPM_pZ03vOTqUk2O01yoZu3yh7t3Ysq-2QUaf8rlOdnfXse0uAlfAsS0h4/s1600-h/wtfbris.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWq4NuViqETBihyphenhyphenI7f7RCk2bYk-Mk56FLtvn1Kf0O9PhYheGKpfQE-oaybsvAeBwN-FQnBOogNssmFLnUAuPM_pZ03vOTqUk2O01yoZu3yh7t3Ysq-2QUaf8rlOdnfXse0uAlfAsS0h4/s400/wtfbris.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395850433289263794" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Comparing streetcars to abortion and lying about the true effects of Issue 9 is what COAST's campaign has come down to in the final days leading up to the election. Even Bill Cunningham, who "thinks the Over-The-Rhine trolley is a bad idea" has called out Issue 9 for what it really is and stood against it. Let's vote down Issue 9 and do Cincinnati a favor, just as Mark Miller said in his WLW interview:<b> "...then COAST has to shut up and go away."</b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><b><br /></b></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBRJiaEOSrMn22HejQdhuOA3XTOrrEUpZh_z-_HCkVdISoKWNCzdrawDuTh5UQPPDbNWLCNGxuKzoRbLxdc_k9x1jgZAC-JmSmM9BdUVwZIXhSldbdPPArY4M007K8ktprj_IHTl3wAM/s1600-h/NOon9_Facebook.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBRJiaEOSrMn22HejQdhuOA3XTOrrEUpZh_z-_HCkVdISoKWNCzdrawDuTh5UQPPDbNWLCNGxuKzoRbLxdc_k9x1jgZAC-JmSmM9BdUVwZIXhSldbdPPArY4M007K8ktprj_IHTl3wAM/s1600-h/NOon9_Facebook.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBRJiaEOSrMn22HejQdhuOA3XTOrrEUpZh_z-_HCkVdISoKWNCzdrawDuTh5UQPPDbNWLCNGxuKzoRbLxdc_k9x1jgZAC-JmSmM9BdUVwZIXhSldbdPPArY4M007K8ktprj_IHTl3wAM/s400/NOon9_Facebook.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395860134811496594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Cartoon by </span></span></span><a href="http://sweenbud.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Nicholas Sweeney</span></span></span> </a></div></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-53815371934858542162009-10-18T00:37:00.004-04:002009-10-18T00:55:20.714-04:00Tom Luken Doesn't Want Anything to Change<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Ex-mayor/Congressman exercises typical antiquated, stupid thinking.</span></span></b></i><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSSXHajoRFB5ZuNOxdzxWi_oRofXehWKiDto_Ypqs7z-VDEWngmHeJmG6Q5DbTFlqyUNMDV1hKgDXcceMFCi03alxcoCK6JqFgBSSzsI1dV7M7tIOIIagzY3h6Me2m911zcG3z3yA7dk/s1600-h/tomlukencopy.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSSXHajoRFB5ZuNOxdzxWi_oRofXehWKiDto_Ypqs7z-VDEWngmHeJmG6Q5DbTFlqyUNMDV1hKgDXcceMFCi03alxcoCK6JqFgBSSzsI1dV7M7tIOIIagzY3h6Me2m911zcG3z3yA7dk/s400/tomlukencopy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393798670222554466" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">While the rest of the nation and world trudge forward into the future, Tom Luken thinks everything here in Cincinnati is just all hunky dory and fine. In fact he wouldn't change a thing. At least that's what the aging COAST spokesperson <a href="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2009/10/16/tom-luken-being-tom-luken/">told citizens at a recent public meeting</a>. To quote the reporting of Enquirer reporter Steve Kemme:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><blockquote><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; "><i>One question was, if you could shape the future of the city, what’s the one thing you would do to change the city?</i></p><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; "><i>Luken’s response?</i></p><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; "><i><b>“Nothing. I like it just the way it is. Status quo.”</b></i></p></blockquote></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It's local folklore, and quoted at the top of this blog, that Mark Twain once said: <i><b>"When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati. Because its always twenty years behind the times."</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> With idiots like Tom Luken running around saying things like this and promoting special interest groups like COAST, it's no wonder people think Cincinnati is twenty years behind the times. My question is; if Tom Luken is satisfied with the status quo, why does he want to amend the city charter with a restrictive amendment like <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090808/EDIT01/908090343/1019/EDIT/Editorial++Derail+Charter+amendment">Issue 9</a>? I thought everything was just fine "staus quo?"</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Rejec</b>t the antiquated, stupid thinking of <b>Tom Luken</b>, <b>reject</b> <b>special interest groups</b>, <b>reject California style referdum voting</b> and <b>reject</b> <b>lawyers from outside our city</b> trying to bring down Democracy in Cincinnati. Reject Issue 9!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;">Image credit: <a href="http://www.thephonyconey.blogspot.com">The Provost of Cincinnati</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY!</span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">VOTE NO ON ISSUE 9!</span></span></i></b></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-37718492147829034522009-10-13T11:37:00.002-04:002009-10-13T11:49:05.440-04:00This is Why We Look to Portland<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">While the folks at COAST may be too lazy or too in denial to properly research the proposed modern streetcar plan (hell, they couldn't even get the right picture on their <a href="http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/10/important-question-for-cincinnati.html">yard signs</a>!), the folks at Soapbox went all the way to Portland to see just why the streetcar system is so successful. Why does everyone point to Portland? Why do the residents, business owners and commuters of Portland enjoy alternate means of transportation? </span></span></span><br /><br /><center><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7027877&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7027877&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7027877"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Portland Streetcar</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> from </span></span></span><a href="http://vimeo.com/user693148"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Soapboxmedia.com</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> on </span></span></span><a href="http://vimeo.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Vimeo</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">The Cincinnati Streetcar could help revitalize Cincinnati! It would serve 54% of all jobs in the city and like Portland's system, could be an economic boost at a time when Cincinnati needs it most. The benefits could be used for all Cincinnati neighborhoods. Issue 9 threatens this proposed plan and would keep Cincinnati out of the proposed passenger rail networks connecting it with other major cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus and Cleveland. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">VOTE NO ON 9!</span></i></b></span></span></p></center>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-49553683412538969282009-10-12T10:18:00.008-04:002009-10-12T11:40:52.497-04:00Jason Gloyd is a Liar or an Idiot, Whichever Title You Prefer.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The above title is a bold statement, but after reading COAST's blog today I'm inclined to believe that it's true. <a href="http://www.coast-usa.blogspot.com/">In a flurry of posts</a>, Jason Gloyd, chairman of COAST, repeatedly showed his ignorance and apathy towards learning the facts on local issues and his true colors as a special interest patsy. You might remember, Gloyd. He was the one who on 700 WLW's Bill Cunningham show <a href="http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/04/streetcars-bill-cunningham-and-field.html">tried to tell "Willie" that the streetcars were powered by coal</a>. Even I felt embarrassed for Gloyd when the next caller corrected nearly every one of Jason's fabrications.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From the COAST blog:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><blockquote><i><b>“How, exactly, is the public to make its voice heard on passenger rail spending,” said COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd"</b></i></blockquote></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jason, you, just like every other citizen had <a href="http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Speak-Out-At-The-First-Streetcar-Open-House/B3IO86IRQkSwRcR1JA3A4A.cspx">numerous chances</a> to attend public hearings and meetings regarding the issue. Many of the great citizens of this city did and gave their input, both recently when city council held open houses and in the past few years when the project was in the planning stages.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><blockquote><b><i>“Some damned fool nameless, faceless bureaucrat decided to build a $60 million subway station on Cincinnati’s Riverfront in 2002,” said COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd."</i></b></blockquote></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jason has been told many times, but he still chooses to ignore the real price of the Riverfront Transit Center: <a href="http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/transitcenter.html"><b>$18 Million,</b></a> according to the <i>Cincinnati Post</i>, <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090704/NEWS01/907050345"><b>$23 Million</b></a>, according to the <i>Cincinnati Enquirer</i>.<b> NOT</b> <b>$60 MILLION!</b> Gloyd also ignores the fact that the operation of the center is contracted out to System Parking and the city of Cincinnati gets a share of the parking revenue from the center and it's adjoining parking lots. The Transit Center has been making money during large events ever since it opened. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Damned, nameless fools Jason? Are you serious? As someone who is the chairman of a special interest political group, you'd think you would've taken the time to get acquainted with the names of your local politicians who approved the building of the Transit Center along with the reconstruction of Ft. Washington Way. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jason has also allowed his special interest group to distribute these misleading yard signs:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr5SqTv16ESpaqO7KMp5pRqoJlSLrlwWHqXvIqc_5oh7JfU0NMbtr9uWnmKL5RbxJ2oitnQiWCXVzT9C8RlLmYoBHCcJvM21zaJKSucXQbSpcHOOTb9u1Lu_RKwnOeYWrTFK0rcWAg6o/s1600-h/MWM+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr5SqTv16ESpaqO7KMp5pRqoJlSLrlwWHqXvIqc_5oh7JfU0NMbtr9uWnmKL5RbxJ2oitnQiWCXVzT9C8RlLmYoBHCcJvM21zaJKSucXQbSpcHOOTb9u1Lu_RKwnOeYWrTFK0rcWAg6o/s400/MWM+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391724095888586098" /></a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">But, as CAAST pointed out the other day, <a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/20-more-days-to-vote-no-on-issue-9.html">Issue 9 wouldn't just stop the streetcar, it would reject ALL PASSENGER RAIL projects</a>. Keeping Cincinnati further and further behind other major cities. Further promoting the "20 years behind the times" stereotype. Wonder why Jason and his boys at COAST didn't put "STOP PASSENGER RAIL" on their sign and tell the truth? Why does the truth come so hard for Jason and COAST?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Maybe this sign would work better:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_h3wrmY6ToOw-0LboFXY5wsXrqdWUYx-zAMD6xltpS9KoYA5VEufGCxMstSdQVybqmox4NSsWTHAtu9D5rVKqmGjHWhEaYgcV7K01F1ocHj0wLbjYNDTcfXoml5I6uhH4nGJZwKhMFr8/s1600-h/yes+on+issue+9+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_h3wrmY6ToOw-0LboFXY5wsXrqdWUYx-zAMD6xltpS9KoYA5VEufGCxMstSdQVybqmox4NSsWTHAtu9D5rVKqmGjHWhEaYgcV7K01F1ocHj0wLbjYNDTcfXoml5I6uhH4nGJZwKhMFr8/s400/yes+on+issue+9+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391738688613597858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Warning: This sign has been modified for truthfulness</b>!</div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">SAY NO TO SPECIAL INTEREST CONTROLLING OUR CITY, SAY NO TO ISSUE 9!</span></i></b></span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-46402135590632972262009-10-09T15:37:00.013-04:002009-10-10T03:11:39.492-04:00What Else You're Rejecting<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">While our friends at COAST were too busy looking up <a href="http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/20-more-days-to-vote-yes-on-issue-9.html">Playhouse Disney videos on youtube</a>, we, the citizens against antiquated, stupid thinking, were thinking over the broad reaching effects and consequences of Issue 9. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Even if you're not in favor of the streetcar plan, you should be opposed to Issue 9</span>. Why? <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Because Issue 9 affects ALL passenger rail in Cincinnati, not just the streetcar</span>. While COAST continues to try and mislead voters into thinking this charter amendment would "reject the streetcar" as they say, CAAST would like to show you what else you would be "rejecting:"</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >- The proposed <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/16/obama.rail/">American high speed rail network</a>, currently undergoing preliminary planning and research by the Federal Government. This would link Cincinnati in a hub with Chicago, Columbus, Indianapolis, Cleveland and other major cities. Not if you vote 'yes' on 9 though!</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ntrny3BrUGw5qGddKFKP1z2nDwxqu6FqsbNIp4hEVsOTd-y4QZIBdAFr6JzJ8uA4QYulfKzh1KMv6Vp7WKun30r6HurCXoG5iwhTRg2kUDfJ8Kafh0LhOTohkiRm6nt_FsE0Q91_d_s/s1600-h/obama_high_speed_rail_vision_usa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ntrny3BrUGw5qGddKFKP1z2nDwxqu6FqsbNIp4hEVsOTd-y4QZIBdAFr6JzJ8uA4QYulfKzh1KMv6Vp7WKun30r6HurCXoG5iwhTRg2kUDfJ8Kafh0LhOTohkiRm6nt_FsE0Q91_d_s/s400/obama_high_speed_rail_vision_usa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390694540155768770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >- The proposed "<a href="http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/Programs/passenger/3CisME/Pages/default.aspx">3C corridor</a>" linking Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland would give these cities a head start on high speed rail and create jobs as seen in the chart below. Not if you vote 'yes' though! Yes on 9, means NO on jobs.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fLFCmgIU6avmj2BToJWigCpd0IN1AhzkYcklGFcjNHiFCsGUOAmwqRX8Zhmg7d83pwGeXeqteQ9Qay1uwm4XLdI95zb31Iff86ASgDuqPuz6WmdZ3Ft4kR6oRxykXYfkvEEvGXb8nQM/s1600-h/3-c+economic+impact-m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fLFCmgIU6avmj2BToJWigCpd0IN1AhzkYcklGFcjNHiFCsGUOAmwqRX8Zhmg7d83pwGeXeqteQ9Qay1uwm4XLdI95zb31Iff86ASgDuqPuz6WmdZ3Ft4kR6oRxykXYfkvEEvGXb8nQM/s400/3-c+economic+impact-m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390694126113576338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >- The Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana (OKI) Regional Council of Governments has called passenger rail transit an "<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.oki.org/transportation/freight.html">absolute necessity</a>" for improving our current transportation needs. At the center of their proposed 2030 plan, Cincinnati. If Issue 9 were to pass though, the whole project would be stalled throughout all states, counties, municipalities etc. while Cincinnati holds a taxpayer funded special election to determine whether or not to spend money on the project, regardless of where that money comes fro, whether it be federal, state or local funds. The city of Cincinnati would have veto power over stalling an entire regional rail plan like the one seen below.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2PcCBXOohrCWAPA9Zb8RqqUaCiWaWHjjhZr1wSvY96rs_loEcoGNyTst0VrndUvB61Zrd3Tpd-gUHZZh1P_mU-VKG6ql4aHQdby7KtyVNEceQssN7y14_PWdxhWbrzMmfiRaAqinoDA/s1600-h/metro_moves_plan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2PcCBXOohrCWAPA9Zb8RqqUaCiWaWHjjhZr1wSvY96rs_loEcoGNyTst0VrndUvB61Zrd3Tpd-gUHZZh1P_mU-VKG6ql4aHQdby7KtyVNEceQssN7y14_PWdxhWbrzMmfiRaAqinoDA/s400/metro_moves_plan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390694078959776834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">- The never completed <a href="http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/03/cincinnati-subway.html">Cincinnati Subway</a> would be an integral part of the above OKI regional rail plan. In 2008 a study by the URS corporation found these tunnels to be in a "good" condition and suitable for use by light rail. If the plan were to go forward, utilizing these tunnels could save millions upon millions in construction and tunneling costs. However, if Issue 9 passes, these tunnels could remain empty, never fufilling their intended purpose.</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH6duILcSXkEaAfMU1n4vWSqQ3ElaeRNMjwA62LCV1v54d-nF8P-HuOcZyKPjuCZeVyDfc5hxyqqHCr_jYqWL5Qq5doWIe-_65e93f-NxnZnjYBaCs6ci56poX2fipEnh0o3e4lI_8JE/s1600-h/Subway_rolly_0008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH6duILcSXkEaAfMU1n4vWSqQ3ElaeRNMjwA62LCV1v54d-nF8P-HuOcZyKPjuCZeVyDfc5hxyqqHCr_jYqWL5Qq5doWIe-_65e93f-NxnZnjYBaCs6ci56poX2fipEnh0o3e4lI_8JE/s400/Subway_rolly_0008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390693783688670818" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">- The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Banks#Transportation">Riverfront Transit Center</a> below 2nd. Street was built during the reconstruction of Fort Washington Way. Currently, the center is only open to house charter buses during large downtown events. If fully activated, the transit center would serve as the central hub for regional rail and could easily be modified to accomidate all types of commuter rail, again like the subway, saving millions up millions in construction costs. The resources are already there! A vote of 'yes' on 9 means yes on wasting taxpayer money by never fully utilizing our own resources to their vast potential.</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2Tr70_MJGMcY77fc8K9nitVb1DbiNqSPP3UJOfSuOiaLiW3AA-MT5JLIOHH84hF7v7mwutq4sCGjt9CHcxOr8Zhw_vOJEhm3JmmDph8_W1ZWnfKi2Ar8FOb1Cfl2hUFnmHPzkm-HNnA/s1600-h/transitupdate_0024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2Tr70_MJGMcY77fc8K9nitVb1DbiNqSPP3UJOfSuOiaLiW3AA-MT5JLIOHH84hF7v7mwutq4sCGjt9CHcxOr8Zhw_vOJEhm3JmmDph8_W1ZWnfKi2Ar8FOb1Cfl2hUFnmHPzkm-HNnA/s400/transitupdate_0024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390693683049305970" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">- The ballot language of Issue 9 prohibits the "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">construction of improvements for passenger rail transportation" So if the city wanted to improve the handicapped access of Union Terminal, which is the current station for our Amtrak Cardinal Line passenger rail, they would have to tell handicapped citizens to wait until a tax payer funded special election is held on the issue or for the next election day to roll around. </span></span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe9v20hfhLUYNlUdsY0RW6V8byqHX1TL-fjz_8PFQCqSYKZGxkwdxHcxWIWmyljGqvmoH-NbK_7sk5xdyPZA4SieL5iaKny8meG_ryCKVnvfI8IfC5WemBhu8alCMydwY420k6cJnuew/s1600-h/Union+Terminal.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe9v20hfhLUYNlUdsY0RW6V8byqHX1TL-fjz_8PFQCqSYKZGxkwdxHcxWIWmyljGqvmoH-NbK_7sk5xdyPZA4SieL5iaKny8meG_ryCKVnvfI8IfC5WemBhu8alCMydwY420k6cJnuew/s400/Union+Terminal.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390693619461776226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">- Lastly, you might think we're joking. Unfortunatley we're not. The train at the Cincinnati Zoo would even fall under the broad language of the Issue 9 ammendment. <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090915/NEWS0106/909160341/-1/advertmock/Streetcar+ballot+could+affect+zoo+train">Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Barry Horstman</a> was the first to bring this to light, and if you don't believe it, <a href="http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/09/would-issue-9-affect-childrens-train-at.html">you can read COAST's own ballot language for yoursel</a>f. Yes, even the children's train at the zoo would be affected!</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiw2neMIcmYdPkYCc6zK8y1XZEZMYz_O-ucSFOJ_lIWXpyS9tcB5vm3z7Tr0HIGXLb6Znxd_VaIAyAI6ojg37z6OWmmjl89Ny2TJG4gQ1KmrWL-cafysgRkwDu23zFT9h9GLf-wEibGQ/s1600-h/Zoo-Train.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiw2neMIcmYdPkYCc6zK8y1XZEZMYz_O-ucSFOJ_lIWXpyS9tcB5vm3z7Tr0HIGXLb6Znxd_VaIAyAI6ojg37z6OWmmjl89Ny2TJG4gQ1KmrWL-cafysgRkwDu23zFT9h9GLf-wEibGQ/s400/Zoo-Train.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390693539780599586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">As you can see, while COAST may claim that a vote of 'yes' on Issue 9 is a vote to 'reject the streetcar,' you're really being tricked into voting for a rejection on all passenger rail, keeping Cincinnati out of important regional and national projects. The Cincinnati Enquirer even called Issue 9 a "<a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090808/EDIT01/908090343/1019/EDIT/Editorial++Derail+Charter+amendment">Poison Pill</a>" for Cincinnati. Democrats, Independents, Republicans, the AFL-CIO, the Cincinnati Enquirer Editorial Board and many, many more have all come out and <a href="http://www.cincinnatiansforprogress.com/Endorsements/">endorssed</a> "Cincinnatians For Progress," in opposition of Issue 9. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">COAST's special interest trick is just absurd. Don't be fooled into thinking that Issue 9 is just about the streetcar project, it's about much, much more. It's broadly worded language features a whole swath of consequences as seen here. </span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:180%;">In 20 days, on November 3., say NO to special interest controlling our city and say NO TO ISSUE 9!<br /><br />VOTE NO ON 9!<br /></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-92141724642800899392009-10-06T01:27:00.008-04:002009-10-06T02:13:39.278-04:00"Following my experiences here, I truly believe in the idea of a Cincinnati streetcar..."<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#CC0000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Cincinnati native shares his thoughts on why he believes a modern streetcar system would benefit the Queen City after experiencing rail transit in Dublin, Ireland.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpKw8ZLCj7QEF2ytpPagQTcZO0nBSohLMy3dMN6xRi6aLleHL-FEr1Ec6OLQBpntJoEoFvC98v4IG7f-eHpDyRseNHkhcMXugLLP2iLD8bWKnFMygPnI240My3Q3-Oudf9notBsYjLvs/s1600-h/ohlawddatissumkrispowurz"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpKw8ZLCj7QEF2ytpPagQTcZO0nBSohLMy3dMN6xRi6aLleHL-FEr1Ec6OLQBpntJoEoFvC98v4IG7f-eHpDyRseNHkhcMXugLLP2iLD8bWKnFMygPnI240My3Q3-Oudf9notBsYjLvs/s400/ohlawddatissumkrispowurz" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389357265146021170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><blockquote>Chris Powers, a Cincinnati native and junior majoring in Organizational Communications at Cedarville Christian University, is currently studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland where a modern streetcar system similar to the one proposed for Cincinnati currently operates.</blockquote></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As summer was drawing to a close, my friend Chris and I attended a Reds game at Great American Ballpark just a few days prior to when he would be departing to study abroad in Dublin, Ireland. The subject of the proposed Cincinnati Streetcar came up. Chirs, who has been a Cincinnati resident all of his life, seemed skeptical of the idea judging by what he had previously heard from other people. After the game, I enthusiastically drove him around the proposed streetcar route; showing him exactly where the streetcar would go, the things it would connect and the potential it had. I didn't know if I had made a believer out of him or not, but in this recent email which Chris has asked me to share with you all, Chris seems convinced that the construction of a modern streetcar would be beneficial to Cincinnati after he experienced the LUAS (Dublin Irleland's modern streetcar and light rail system).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>The following text and photographs come from Chris Powers, 10/5/2009:</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>My story begins with my studying in Ireland for a semester this fall and the wonderful opportunity to live in the Dublin area. As a Cincinnati native I was excited to experience a different sort of city life in a European setting.</i></span></span></span></p></b></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ2rf5kyVnoKWD023PWqnhMmPmVXMZ6-ky3v8MDnuwMODQJwSGnLjmXmoNMUJ2xWiQ-Hfp5a7zFKOsO8tB9wKVz2rpVleqSZj2PyK1mmGagMIZCquk9ZgniGjEcgsh2tZjyCvMdj_zTg/s1600-h/luas4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ2rf5kyVnoKWD023PWqnhMmPmVXMZ6-ky3v8MDnuwMODQJwSGnLjmXmoNMUJ2xWiQ-Hfp5a7zFKOsO8tB9wKVz2rpVleqSZj2PyK1mmGagMIZCquk9ZgniGjEcgsh2tZjyCvMdj_zTg/s400/luas4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389357159716184114" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>I’ve also always however had a strong passion for the city of Cincinnati and longed to continue to see it get redeveloped and have a much more successful commercial district along not only the riverfront, but also into the downtown district including areas that are in a much needed rejuvenation such as Over-the-Rhine. With the construction of 'The Banks' project in full swing, the city has once again proposed a new form of public transportation in the form of a light rail system that will run through the city and provide a connection between the riverfront, fountain square, the University of Cincinnati and even passing through Over-the-Rhine.</i></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT3Sh_K09D3aFytRQOnkhi6g2GTz83VBJy3goW1X4snOLlPJWRX_EfP_PmcSeJ7b9EwPd6n8tQQJaMtHe5ZdjY2QUAFTLdk1iN-_kdVt9eFMtM2uYivrMhC4TwmZ_sYF-wyPQZF3FneM/s1600-h/luas.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT3Sh_K09D3aFytRQOnkhi6g2GTz83VBJy3goW1X4snOLlPJWRX_EfP_PmcSeJ7b9EwPd6n8tQQJaMtHe5ZdjY2QUAFTLdk1iN-_kdVt9eFMtM2uYivrMhC4TwmZ_sYF-wyPQZF3FneM/s400/luas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389357019552952450" /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">You’re probably wondering what connection my experiences in Dublin could possibly have with the Queen City. Well, Dublin has many different forms of public transportation including a light rail system of their own or a streetcar as it will be called in Cincy. As a man who was curious about the effectiveness of a streetcar in getting people around and how much of an affect it would have on traffic it was a prime opportunity for me to see firsthand if the Cincinnati street car was a system that could truly benefit the city. Well I’m very pleased to assure you that if Cincinnati does in fact chose to install the street car that it will definitely be a great benefit to the city and the people of city.</span></i></span></span></p></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyTHthm0d1b7hpSC7W5DrJZabYnZ-vEMbZD62iknUEpz6DWyzl0tCKXYZusIKcyd_Plxi6kOtnIbjCkFIy5mQdHsbBAy_v35cFymn3LwNCLPCiuU2HqnmVuuvfLvSKjpRJA-Ugc1GxIk/s1600-h/luas3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyTHthm0d1b7hpSC7W5DrJZabYnZ-vEMbZD62iknUEpz6DWyzl0tCKXYZusIKcyd_Plxi6kOtnIbjCkFIy5mQdHsbBAy_v35cFymn3LwNCLPCiuU2HqnmVuuvfLvSKjpRJA-Ugc1GxIk/s400/luas3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389356672306287362" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Here are a few reasons why:</i></span></span></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <ol style="list-style-type: decimal"> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>The rail system is extremely efficient and is also very modern in the way it operates. The trains come frequently and run extremely close to their pre planned schedule. The sit many people comfortably and have plenty of standing room as well</i></span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Another concern for me is how well a light rail system could actually fit into a cityscape, especially a difficult historical one such as Dublin’s. However the street car really looks fantastic in Dublin with its historical surroundings and I can only imagine that it would look even better in a modern city landscape. In fact the street car in a way almost gives the areas it’s in a bit more character.</i></span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>One of the primary reasons that the street car has been pushed is its role in helping re-develop the rougher parts of cincy that it runs through including Over The Rhine. A similar idea was apart of the planning of the LUAS as it runs right through the north side of Dublin where many underdeveloped areas have historically been located. The LUAS since its installation has brought a significant amount of new development to the streets it runs through including a lot of tourist development.</i></span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Safety is always a concern when considering any type of public transport and this was a heavy concern of mine as well. The LUAS has proved to me however that the system is certainly safe. The citizens of Dublin are careful and mindful of the LUAS as it passes through the crowded streets of Dublin and traffic systems have helped prevent any serious accidents from occurring.</i></span></span></li></ol></ul></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1haDHqJCjF8HyqyrueYl1Stjg5aGmEd6geXpucBW6ZlTAJpug_xS9DSWffbGRMtZrLSl-_SKzZwuUZDeHpGc-8z-PNqGMYHJHHdqZt_ZKWTNDSPgv42EK3NGquV-2GYUpvNBjGg0x8o/s1600-h/luas1.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1haDHqJCjF8HyqyrueYl1Stjg5aGmEd6geXpucBW6ZlTAJpug_xS9DSWffbGRMtZrLSl-_SKzZwuUZDeHpGc-8z-PNqGMYHJHHdqZt_ZKWTNDSPgv42EK3NGquV-2GYUpvNBjGg0x8o/s400/luas1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389356512196259186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>After spending a little over a month using the light rail system here in Dublin, I can't help but hope that the people of my beloved Cincinnati decide to support thier own streetcar system. Following my experiences here, I truely believe in the idea of a Cincinnati streetcar in that it could help create a more commercially successful Cincinnati and at the same time provide a great new source of public transportation for the people of the Queen City.</i></span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- Photographs and text courtesy of Chris Powers.</span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Meanwhile, here in Cincinnati, the <a href="http://www.cincinnatiansforprogress.com/Endorsements/">list of reputable individuals, groups and organizations</a> coming out in opposition of Issue 9, continues to grow! Democrats, Republicans, Independents, environmentalists, labor unions and so many, many more have stepped up to remind you to:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>VOTE NO ON ISSUE 9!</b></span></span></span></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-21487389726607835942009-10-01T15:40:00.006-04:002009-10-01T15:47:24.352-04:00Now you can make decisions just like COAST, with this easy to follow flow chart!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">CAUTION: DO NOT USE IN CITIES YOU WANT TO SUCCEED!</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, fantasy;color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1848/flowchart.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 1200px;" src="http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1848/flowchart.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877644112405173842.post-68989082210019084912009-09-25T11:52:00.003-04:002009-09-25T12:06:01.827-04:00$185 Million. Is it worth it?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">That's a question council candidate Laure Quinlivan asked herself. So she went to see firsthand what the streetcar has done for Portland, she's now convinced that the streetcar is a wise investment that would benefit all of Cincinnati. See for yourself:</span></span></span><div><br /><center><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6727365&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6727365&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/6727365"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Laure Quinlivan's Streetcar Report</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> from </span></span></span><a href="http://vimeo.com/user1014267"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Laure Quinlivan</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> on </span></span></span><a href="http://vimeo.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Vimeo</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">How many trips have Chris Smitherman or Chris Finney taken to Portland to experience passenger rail before they tried to ban it? None. That's why it's the job of our elected officials to research and develop these ideas before they invest on our city and that's what we elect them to do. Lawyers and special interest groups are in it for their own benefit.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Say no to lawyers and special interest groups running our town! Stand up for proper democracy in Cincinnati! Vote no on 9!</span></b></span></span></p></center></div>CAASThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985294408896844277noreply@blogger.com1